Esperance Theater Company to Present TWELFTH NIGHT, 12/10-20

Esperance Theater Company is proud to present their inaugural, original production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night at Access Theater. Separated on the same foreign coast by a tempest-tossed sea, twins Viola and Sebastian begin a complex (while often comical) journey of hope, survival, and above all - love. Directed by Ryan Quinn, Twelfth Night will run December 10-20, 2015.

"This production of Twelfth Night explores our need to feed, feel, and ache for the past..." says director Ryan Quinn, who recently appeared in the critically acclaimed Whorl Inside A Loop at Second Stage. "The original music, the diversity of the cast and crew - it's growing into an incredible show and I'm thrilled to be a part of the collaboration."

Esperance invites you home for a festive and engaging affair. Arrive early to join the cast for carols and delicious holiday beverages. The company features a multi-talented cast of artists, all playing multiple roles, including Jessica Frey* (Sense & Sensibility-Bedlam Theatre [2016]), Katie Hartke* (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival), Carl Howell* (Peter and the Starcatcher, 1st National Tour), Christian Adam Jacobs (R&J: The Web Series), Brian McManamon* (These Paper Bullets-Yale Rep), Charlie Francis Murphy* (Shakespeare in the Park), and Ryan Quinn* (Whorl Inside A Loop-Second Stage).

Music composition & arrangements by Carl Howell* & Christian Adam Jacobs, music direction by Jessica Frey*, movement direction by Jesse Perez*, costume design by Lauren Wilcher, graphic design by Aryana Sedarati, production management by Esti Bernstein, production stage management by Emily C. Rolston*, assistant direction by Alejandro Rodriguez*, and directed by Ryan Quinn*. Public Relations by Toro Communications.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association

Esperance Theater Company strives to lift away the fourth wall to reveal lean, actor-focused, ensemble-driven projects that are rooted in intimate storytelling. Through new and classic plays, the collective searches for what is universal by focusing on what is most essential. Utilizing the audience as an accomplice and believing in the vitality of diverse voices, Esperance is committed to an experience that reflects such diversity, together reaching in esperance for the magic that can occur when we inspire our shared capacity, and actively imagine together.

Access Theater has produced hundreds of new plays, many of which have gone on to Off-Broadway productions, regional theaters, British theaters, and feature film development. Its nineteen-year history under Founding Artistic Director Jacqueline Christy is rich with the early works of then-unknown theater artists, artists now recognized and respected for the contributions they have made to modern theater. The New York Times, Time Out New York, and others, with histories of overlooking downtown venues, are regular attendees of productions at Access Theater, and have praised its efforts, describing Access as "one of the theaters to pay attention to in downtown New York." (New York Times).

Performances will be held at Access Theater, 380 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10013, December 10-20, 8pm, with additional 2pm weekend matinees. All tickets are $18 General Admission, including "Community Tickets", where this holiday season you can give the gift of theater to someone who might not normally be able to see live theater. These tickets will be allocated to the diverse community of young students, artists, and theater lovers known to Esperance's many Artist-Educators.

To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.artful.ly/esperance-theater-company